Monday, April 29, 2013

www.guardian.co.uk - A mother forced her 14-year-old adopted daughter to inseminate herself with donor sperm to provide a baby for her after she was prevented from adopting any more children. The daughter, a virgin, is believed to have miscarried at 14, but went on to have a baby at 16 after regularly inseminating herself with sperm bought over the internet by her "domineering" mother because she was too scared to refuse.Details of the shocking case have emerged in a previously secret court judgment, which can be reported today for the first time and which raises serious questions over loopholes in international adoptions and the regulation of the global traffic in gametes. The adoptive mother, who cannot be identified for fear of identifying her daughter and grandchild, is now serving a five-year prison sentence after admitting child cruelty.In a high court judgment deciding welfare provisions, family division judge Mr Justice Jackson described "an abiding sense of disbelief that a parent could behave in such a wicked and selfish way towards a vulnerable child". The mother had already adopted three children as babies from abroad, twice when she was married and once as a single parent after her divorce. She had chosen not to give birth herself because of a health condition and had undergone an elective sterilisation. But she was distraught when an attempt to adopt a fourth baby was thwarted when she was denied approval. "The AI [artificial insemination] programme was planned when A [the daughter] was 13, began when she was 14 and ended when she became pregnant with D [her child]" aged 16, the judge said. "The mother resorted to the AI programme because she was determined to have a fourth child, and because there was no other way of achieving this," explained the judge.

In the UK, a woman desperate for another child forced her 14-year-old daughter to get pregnant. The woman, an American divorcee living in Britain with three adopted children, hatched the plan after she was prevented from adopting a fourth. The daughter "became pregnant at the mother's request, using donor sperm bought by the mother, with the purpose of providing a fourth child for the mother to bring up as her own," the judgment states. The Judge has sentenced this woman to five years in prison due to her 'wicked and selfish' motives of using an adopted daughter to provide the family a fourth child. In general, we can't stop growing in our hearts desires, greed and many wrong illusory ideas; however, when all we want is to love Krishna, all our desires will be fulfilled.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Man’s nature is formed from the beginningless standing desire, and that nature of a jiva, being nourished by some unknown accumulated desire, unconsciously gets an association suitable to itself. The old desire endeavours to unite with the new beginning of acts as revealed in the world; the unknown desire, however, when favourable to it, gives fulfillment of the desire in the mundane world. Oftentimes, however, does the old desire offer obstruction to the revealed desire. This mutual impact generates unpleasantness in the world of differences. ... Every desire, if not consumed, seeks gratification. ... The man is then engaged in his worldly activities. He begins work, being prompted by the feeling of egotism as the enjoyers of this mundane world.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

www.boldsky.com - The rituals associated with Holi are just as colourful as the festival itself. We call Holi the festival of colours, fun and frolic. Some of the main Holi rituals and their significance. Gathering wood and leaves. For a week before Holi, the children are given the task of gathering stray pieces of wood and dry leaves. These titbits are heaped in huge piles at crossroads or in the middle of parks, and they are burned the day/night before Holi in a symbolic fire to destroy evil. Holika Dahan. The folklore says that Prahlad was the prince of a demon kingdom and an ardent follower of Narayana. But Prahlad's father, King Hiranyakashyap hated Narayana and to kill Prahlad, the King asked his sister Holika to sit on a fire with little Prahlad in her lap.Holika had a boon that fire will not burn her. She stepped into the ritual fire, got burned and Prahlad came out unharmed. To symbolise the victory of good over evil, some communities make an effigy of Holika and place her in a house made of inflammable substances.Radha and Krishna Puja. The playful couple Radha and Krishna are worshipped on the day of Holi. They are first bathed in milk and then smeared with Holi colours. It is believed that Krishna who was dark skinned was jealous of Radha's fair complexion. He had smeared her with blue colour to get back at Radha for being so fair. Play Of Colours. The play of colours on Holi is a symbol of celebration. The colours signify all the aspects of nature. Lath Mar or Play of Sticks. The legend goes that the ever playful Krishna visited Radha's village Barsana on Holi. True to his nature he eve teased Radha and her female friends (Gopi). But the girls were angered by Krishna's constant teasing and chased him away with sticks. To continue the tradition women beat up men with sticks on the day Holi.Bhang and Thandai. Bhang or a particular combination of the intoxicating poppy seeds is a Holi ritual. The bhang is mixed with thandai (which is a milk and dry fruits sherbet). This drink adds up to the element of intoxicating fun on Holi. Kamdeva Puja. Down South, playing Holi with colours is not very popular. In Southern India, Holi is a day to worship Kamdeva, the God of Love.

In Hinduism, there are many popular Holi rituals and these customs and traditions have deep significance. Anwesha, author of the article, explains that most of the Holi rituals are based on two main points: the Holika Dahan and the Play of Colours. “But having fun is the underlying principle in each of the Holi rituals and the numerous colours used during the celebrations represent the different elements that God has given us in form of Mother nature,” she adds. Unlike other Hindu festivals, it does not include a sombre puja ceremony or no fasting is required. Holi is the festival of colors and the celebration signifies the joy and mirth of the Hindu community.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Holi is a major festival and celebrates the onset of spring, along with good harvests and the fertility of the land. It is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March. This festival is known best for the way people throw brightly colored powder and water over each other to celebrate the advent of spring. Then they bathe and cleanse themselves after which they distribute sweets amongst friends and relatives. Vibrant processions accompanied by folk songs and dances are also a characteristic of Holi celebrations. Holi is a very popular festival amongst the youth. Holi also commemorates the burning to death of Holika, the aunt of Prahlada. Huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Holi for this reason. Holi is celebrated with great vigor in the north, but is hardly celebrated in southern India.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Agencies - AAshley Owen of Animal Aid says that the World Day for Animals in Laboratories is not recognised by the UN. Ironically, it does recognise World Malaria Day – a disease that benefits from animal research. Owen claims that 3.5 million animals are "subjected to experiments", yet nearly half of these are the birth of a laboratory mouse. Only 2% of experiments involve substantial suffering. Thousands of primates are poisoned to death every year inside British laboratories and hundreds more are subjected to appalling brain experiments. The Europe-wide campaign to end primate experiments has united animal protection groups as well as compassionate MPs and scientists across the continent. On the other hand, a Letter signed by celebrities was handed into the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday (24 April) – World Day for Laboratory Animals.The petition is calling for less secrecy about what happens to animals in laboratories. Jan Creamer, who runs the National Anti-Vivisection Society, says the Government is thinking about changing the law so that everybody can know exactly what happens to animals in experiments. She says it will enable people to look at other ways to replace animals in all experiments, as has happened with cosmetics testing recently. At the moment, animals are still used in tests for medical treatments. On World Animal Day, Jan says: “Following the huge success of the end to animal testing for cosmetics in Europe, the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) is asking people to make sure their household products are cruelty free – look on our website.” Jan also wants people to get involved in Government ideas about freedom of information on animal experiments.

April 24th marks World Day for Laboratory Animals - a United Nations recognized day of international commemoration of the suffering and killing of millions of innocent sentient beings in laboratories throughout the world. Campaigning organisations in the UK and across the globe, mark today a time to reflect upon the pain and suffering daily caused to millions of animals. In the name of a scientific practice, millions of animals are horribly abused and killed by vivisectors. Today and everyday we should remember the millions of our little brothers who have been killed, and to redouble efforts to hasten the end of all animal experiments.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

When you observe the problem of unconscious consumption, some measures must be taken. That's the way how the conscious consumer arises. Consider some characteristics of this ethical, healthy and ecological position. First of all, the conscious consumer avoid all products having to do with the killing of animals, including food, fashion (costumes made of fur), vanity (many laboratories experiment with thousands of animals in order to produce cosmetics and toiletries), fun (we have enough news about the shows where ridicule and torture creatures), customs and traditions (such as hunting, a bloody pastime, etc.). The conscious consumer does not use items that have been produced under the agony and exploitation of other beings.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Times of India - Thrissur: A Sanskrit grammar written by German born grammarian, lexicographer and philologist Jesuit missionary Fr Johann Ernst Hanxleden, popularly known as Arnos Padre, was released in Belgium. The over 300-year-old work, considered one of the earliest missionary grammars in Sanskrit, was released on April 10, Fr Roy Thottathil SJ, Director of Arnos Padre Academy here, said. He told PTI that he received an official communication in this regard from Prof Christphe Vielle and Prof Toon Van Hal of the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, editors and publisher of the book. The 88-page manuscript of 'Grammatica Grandonica' was found missing for over three centuries and it was recovered last year by Hal from a Carmelite monastery's library in Montecompatri (Rome), Thottathil said.Born at Ostercappeln near Osnabruck in Hanover, Germany, Hanxleden arrived in India on December 13, 1700, as a Jesuit missionary. He built the Saint Francis Xavier's church at Velur near here in 1712 and spent his remaining days there. The two Professors had visited the church in January last year and other places related to the activities of Hanxleden, John Kalliath, Secretary of the Arnos Padre Research Institute told PTI. The church and the building were declared as protected monuments by the Kerala government in 1994.Proficient in German, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Latin, Syriac, Portuguese and Tamil, Hanxleden compiled Malayalam-Portuguese and Sanskrit-Portuguese dictionaries. Hanxleden, who died of a snake bite at Pazhuvil near here in March 1732, made efforts to spread among European scholars and thinkers about India's cultural heritage and importance of Sanskrit.

A work on Sanskrit grammar written by German born grammarian, lexicographer and philologist Jesuit missionary Fr Johann Ernst Hanxleden, popularly known as Arnos Padre, was released in Belgium. The over 300-year-old manuscript of ‘Grammatica Grandonica’ is considered one of the earliest missionary grammars in Sanskrit, according to Jesuit Fr Roy Thottathil, Director of Arnos Padre Academy in Thrissur. Fr Hanxleden mastered Sanskrit, when even learning it was taboo for non-Brahmins, and wrote several essays in Latin based on Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Sanskrit, which literally means “cultured or refined”, is the classical language of India and is the oldest and the most systematic language in the world.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

The earliest written script for the Hindu scriptures was the Vedic Sanskrit Brahmi. ... It is said that Sanskrit is phonetically the most accurate language. Its grammar is also most correctly built. Its constitution was so perfect that no word could have any variation of pronunciation or meaning and denotation. Each syllable (akshara) in the Vedas is endowed with significance and purpose, imparting to it a cosmic energy in a spiritual manner. Many experts suggest that it would be the most ideal language for computer technology. ... In the absence of paper, the ancient Hindu scriptures were originally written on dried palm leaves. Sir William Jones first established its relationship with other European languages in 1789.

Monday, April 22, 2013

www.guardian.co.uk - Earth Day is 43 years' old today, a milestone marked by one of Google's annual doodles dedicated to the event. The day of environmental awareness has been marked by a Google doodle for as long as I can remember, from melting polar ice in 2007 (a prophetic nod to the record Arctic melt that year), rocks in 2008, a waterfall and marine life in 2009 to parrots in 2010, pandas in 2011 and animated flowers in 2012. This year's somewhat pastoral scene of hills, snow-capped mountains and a lake teeming with fish seems to be making a nod to the hydrological cycle. If you click the clouds, for example, it rains, and there appears to be a spot of percolation with water making its way through the soil. There are a pair of bears in caves and, if you click the hole near the front, a badger pops out – is this Google's pre-emptive strike against the government's plan to resume its delayed badger cull this summer in a bid to tackle bovine TB? Probably not, but it's cute nonetheless.Google's no stranger to environmental efforts, of course. In 2011 the internet giant published its carbon footprint for the first time. Turns out it's the equivalent of the United Nations, or a little higher than the emissions of Laos. Earth Day, born in the US in 1970, was the creation in large part of Gaylord Nelson, a US senator and Democrat, who died in 2005. It is designed to "[activate] individuals and organizations to strengthen the collective fight against man's exploitive relationship with the planet." Denis Hayes, the national coordinator of that first day, said a few years back that he thought the day had achieved many of its aims. "Beyond any doubt," he said in 2009, "today the basic core values are vastly more 'green,' if you will, than they were in the 60's and 70's."

Google marks environmental awareness day with interactive scene depicting the water cycle. Frances Beinecke says: "Since that first Earth Day, in 1970, we have come a long way. Now a new generation is standing up to say enough of blowouts and disasters that put our workers, waters and wildlife at risk. Enough of the carbon pollution that is warming our planet and threatening us all. Enough of going to unconscionable extremes to feed our costly addiction to oil, while putting deep waters, ancient forests and Arctic wonderlands at risk. However, there is still much to do to raise awareness about environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

In Indic traditions, we see a number of rituals and myths in which mountains, rivers, trees, animals, and birds are revered. Despite this nature worship in India, its natural resources are under heavy pressure with its growing economy and exploding population. This has led several scholars to raise questions about the role religious communities can play in environmentalism. Does nature worship inspire Hindus to act in an environmentally conscious way? Is there any relationship between their reverence for bio-divinity and their care for biodiversity? Since the 1990s, India has been embracing capitalism, consumerism, and urban development at a rapid pace. At this turning point, will it join the other developed countries as a major contributor to global warming?

Sunday, April 21, 2013

www.theaustralian.com.au - A powerful earthquake has ripped through China's Sichuan province, killing nearly 200 people near the site of one of the country's worst natural disasters. The 7.0-magnitude quake shook the region in China's southwest early on Saturday and left more than 6000 people injured. Thousands more could be left homeless as the quake demolished houses, buildings and offices. The government mobilized thousands of People's Liberation Army troops as part of the massive rescue effort. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang toured the Ya'an region in the province, the epicenter of the quake, and promised government support for victims.The event has striking similarities to the 2008 quake that killed nearly 90,000 people in the Wenchuan area of Sichuan. "The current most urgent issue is seizing the first 24 hours after the quake, the golden time for saving lives, and to take scientific rescue measures and save people's lives," Mr Li said."Life is the most important thing - the top priority is saving lives. No minute or even second should be delayed during the first 72 hours after the strike." Mr Li said rescuers and emergency service workers needed to ensure there was no further damage from aftershocks. China's cabinet, the State Council, held an emergency meeting and put in place a "first grade" response to the quake. "We once underwent catastrophes and have experience in dealing with them," Mr Li said."Under the strong leadership of the (Communist) Party and the government and as long as we unite as one conducting rescue work scientifically, we are able to minimize the losses and overcome the disaster." Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged an "all-out" response to ensure people were rescued and Sichuan province recovered from the earthquake.

A magnitude 7 quake occurred Saturday in the southwestern part of China's Sichuan province. Although the scene was not one of massive destruction as seen in the 2008 quake - which measured 7.9 on the Richter scale - nearly 200 people have been killed, and about 12,000 injured. Today, rescue teams continue to search for survivors, despite heavy rainstorms that have hampered the effort to reach victims. In this material world we are always suffering because of one or a combination of these three kinds of miseries: (1.) adhyatmika klesha; (2.) adhibhautika klesha and (3.) adhidaivika klesha.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

"Being unable to protect himself from the threefold miseries of material existence, the conditioned soul becomes very morose and lives a life of lamentation. These threefold miseries are miseries suffered by mental calamity at the hands of the demigods [such as freezing wind and scorching heat], miseries offered by other living entities, and miseries arising from the mind and body themselves." ... Actually no one can counteract these threefold miseries. All three may assail one at one time, or one misery may be absent and the other present. Thus the living entity is full of anxiety, fearing misery from one side or the other. The conditioned soul must be disturbed by at least one of these three miseries. There is no escape.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

http://edition.cnn.com - They went to the dentist to get a wisdom tooth pulled or perhaps have their jaw realigned. But they may have also contracted a blood-borne virus. Health officials in Oklahoma are notifying 57 patients who tested positive for hepatitis C and three patients who tested positive for hepatitis B after visiting oral surgeon W. Scott Harrington's office in Tulsa and a city suburb, according to a joint statement issued Wednesday by the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Tulsa Health Department. At least one positive HIV result was also reported, but policy prohibits the Oklahoma State Department of Health from releasing the number if it's less than three. Health officials stress that it's not yet clear how many of the positive patients were exposed at Harrington's office, if any.More than 3,200 of Harrington's patients were screened for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C after health investigators found sterilization violations and other infractions at the oral surgeon's office. Harrington voluntarily surrendered his dental license on March 20. He will appear at a revocation hearing before the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry on August 16. His attorney could not be immediately reached for comment. The dentistry board launched its probe after one of Harrington's patients came down with hepatitis C. Investigators raised a number of sterilization and "cross-contamination" alarms - such as "unauthorized, unlicensed" employees using IVs to sedate patients and improper handling of needles. The outward cleanliness of the office belied the mess elsewhere, Susan Rogers, executive director of the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, said, noting that "just basic universal precautions for blood-borne pathogens" weren't followed.

In USA, at least 60 people have tested positive for hepatitis or HIV after visiting an Oklahoma dentist slammed by the state dental board for poor sterilization practices. Dr. W. Scott Harrington allegedly re-used needles, a practice that can contaminate ostensibly sterile drugs with dangerous diseases. He is also accused of using rusty equipment that was not properly cleaned. Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that can lead to liver failure and death. Hepatitis B is a similar liver disease that can range from a mild illness to a serious, chronic condition. We need more medical professionals who really care about the patient welfare.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

The organization of Conscious Doctors is one of friendship and the inter-exchange of medical experiences between doctors with the purpose of purifying professional medical activities by supporting spiritual consciousness. ... A conscious doctor is a person who knows that we are not the body but the living soul. S/he knows the body is a gift from God, a divine instrument apt for spiritual progress and to become a first-class human being. Conscious Doctors must be totally committed to the well-being of their patients. As well as material medical knowledge, they must have spiritual wisdom, especially guided via the Bhagavad Gita, to treat and orient the patient as a whole person. The conscious doctor is an excellent representative of God’s will and the teachings of the spiritual master.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

India Blooms / ANI - Tomorrow is Ram Navami, which falls on the ninth day of the Hindu lunar year (thus named Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami). President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari has greeted the citizens on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, which marks the birthday of Lord Rama. In his message, Mukherjee said: “On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens. Let us strive to emulate Bhagwan Shri Ram’s ideals of rectitude, compassion and forbearance. May Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram’s noble example remain an eternal beacon inspiring us to tread the path of righteous conduct at all times."Whereas Vice President Ansari said in his message: "I extend my greetings and best wishes to all our citizens on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, which marks the birthday of Lord Rama. May the eternal message of Lord Rama guide us all on the righteous path."Meanwhile, Punjab Governor, Shivraj Patil and Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal, have conveyed their greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion. In his message, Mr Patil said "Lord Rama is the embodiment of righteousness and high moral values. His philosophy and teachings inspire all of us to rededicate ourselves to cause of the underprivileged with service and sacrifice". The Governor appealed to the people to celebrate this festival collectively, in a spirit of traditional gaiety, amity and devotion, rising above considerations of caste, creed and religion and share joy and happiness with each other.Deputy Chief Minister Badal in his message, said Lord Ram epitomised high values of righteous conduct and selfless services. "He continues to be a beacon of light to mankind with his message that the good and the righteous always emerge victorious", Badal added.

Tomorrow is Lord Ramachandra’s appearance day. Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari on Thursday greeted the nation on the occasion of Ram Navami - the birth of Lord Rama - to be celebrated on Friday. President Mukherjee in his message said: "May the celebration of this joyous festival unite our people and inspire us to build a glorious future for our nation,” and Vice President Ansari mentioned the event saying: "On this joyous occasion, let us resolve to dedicate ourselves towards building a peaceful, just and harmonious society." Badal, the Deputy Chief Minister, said "May the celebrations of this joyous festival bring all our people together and inspire us to follow the highest moral and ethical values of Lord Ram and rededicate ourselves to build a glorious nation." Rama Navami ki jaya!

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

On Rama Navami we celebrate the appearance of Lord Rama. And most important for all of us to understand about the appearance of the Lord, is how to cultivate the appearance of the Lord within our own hearts. ... In other words until our hearts are restored to their natural state - full of devotion - there will always be the difficulties of corruption, and quarrel. The Lord descended to this world as Lord Ram to show us how to fulfill this most important mission in all of our life, to realize that the kingdom of the God is within our own heart. This is the universal principle. In Bible it is also said, “The kingdom of God is within.” ... Wherever the Lord is, that is the kingdom of God. Rama is dwelling within us. But why don’t we feel Him? Why don’t we love Him? Why don’t we see Him? How to revive that original consciousness that is within the soul? This is the subject of all great sacred texts.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

www.latimes.com - Investigators on Wednesday carefully combed the scene around the two explosions that tore through the Boston Marathon, part of what is expected to be a long investigation to identify who was responsible for the act of terrorism. Investigators have reportedly found more pieces of the devices that killed at three and injured more than 170 people in two explosions near the finish line of the marathon Monday. Reports on Wednesday from the Associated Press and CNN said that authorities have recovered the lid of a pressure cooker that apparently housed the explosives. The Boston Globe and others have reported that a piece of circuit board has been found and is believed to be part of the triggering mechanism for the bomb. The latest finds join the scraps of black nylon - perhaps from a backpack - and fragments of BBs and nails possibly contained in a pressure-cooker device previously identified by forensic experts.There are no “specific suspect or targets,” Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said. While “every hour, every day” brings investigators “a little closer” to finding out who was responsible, Patrick said everyone needs to “settle down and settle in for a long, painstaking investigation.” The FBI and other investigators have appealed to the public for any video or photographs taken at the marathon. The FBI and other investigators have appealed to the public for any video or photographs taken at the marathon. Officials have said they are examining more that 2,000 tips received so far and are seeking public help in generating more leads. The number of injured has climbed to more than 170, including about 70 victims still hospitalized, 19 in critical condition. Medical personnel treating the wounded found evidence suggesting the bombmaker or bombmakers sought to maximize the suffering.

Two days after two bombs tore through a crowd of spectators at the Boston Marathon, little is known about the motive or culprit(s). The bombs were housed in metal containers and studded with metal, including fine nails or brads, to make the devices more lethal. These devices - usually triggered with a circuit - are essentially pressure cookers, packed with some sort of explosive and bits of metal and shrapnel designed to maim. It is believed they were similar to the kind used in attacks in the Mideast. Medical team said they found metal pellets and many carpenter-type nails inside patients' bodies. Who may have wanted to cause mass destruction remained a mystery. Violent people do not hesitate to commit great sins to fulfill their destructive ends.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

There is an outbreak of conflagration of group clashes throughout the world. Nowhere you will find peace. ... Supreme Lord Sri Krishna who is 'Achyuta' can only be the common center of interest from whom all the spirit souls have emanated. If we pour water at the root of the tree, whole tree is nourished with all its parts, in like manner, by serving Krishna we serve all. Non-Violence is to refrain from doing injury to others - it is negative, but love is to do positive good to others. If anybody has got pure love to any person, he cannot have the impetus to inflict injuries to any part of the object of his love. If we get love for Krishna, we cannot have the impetus to inflict injuries to any of His parts emanating from His marginal potency. All Jivas are interrelated through their relation to Sri Krishna.

Monday, April 15, 2013

www.inquisitr.com - A NASCAR fan committed suicide during Saturday night’s NRA 500 Sprint Cup Race at Texas Motor Speedway. The incident happened on the racetrack infield as the stock car race was coming to a close. Details of the death were not initially reported, though police later said the injury was self-inflicted. The Tarrant County medical examiner’s office released a statement on Sunday about the fan’s death. They confirmed the suicide, saying that the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Fort Worth police stated that the man, Kirk Franklin, 42, was camping in the infield for the race. He allegedly shot himself after getting into an argument with other campers. It is believed that alcohol may have played a role in his death. The death happened in or around a pickup truck in the infield near the middle of the backstretch. Police blocked off the area around the incident and investigators were seen looking into a truck after the race.There was no word on Franklin’s relationship with the people he was arguing with. He died around 10:30 pm local time. The suicide during the NRA 500 will likely spark a larger debate within NASCAR over the security at racetracks. Texas law prohibits firearms from being brought into the track by fans. The sport was already criticized for having the NRA (National Rifle Association) sponsor the event. The same sport saw at least one driver remember the victims of Newtown, Connecticut during the Daytona 500. But while NASCAR’s sponsors don’t typically spark a national, political debate, Saturday’s sponsorship did. The NRA title sponsorship of the Texas race was negotiated by the speedway, not by NASCAR. In addition to a possible change in sponsorship, it is possible that the NASCAR fan’s suicide will cause increased security at race tracks.

In the USA, a racing fan by name Kirk Franklin shot himself and committed suicide in the infield of a National Rifle Association-sponsored NASCAR race at the Texas Motor Speedway. Police are still investigating the suicide. But they believe that it resulted from an argument that broke out between Franklin and several other people watching the race from the infield. Alcohol may have also been a factor. A medical examiner confirmed that the 42-year-man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His body was reportedly found in the back seat of a truck. Some people kill themselves openly, but unfortunately, the rest of the people commit suicide without even knowing they are doing it.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Guest: Oh, do you see that tower? Students here have been known to jump from it. Actually, at schools all over the country, a growing number of students are committing suicide.Srila Prabhupada: Yes. They are openly committing suicide, and the rest of the people are covertly committing suicide. This man who found out how to construct an atom bomb he's thinking that now his life is successful. But if he doesn't use his human life for trying to become spiritually realized, he is committing suicide.Guest: How's that?Srila Prabhupada: Because he won't be able to save himself from his own death and rebirth.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

http://www.businessinsider.com - A
17-year-old Nova Scotia girl died last Sunday more than a year after a
"viral" photo of her alleged rape turned her into a social pariah at
school. The family of Rehtaeh Parsons blames her suicide on her
classmates' relentless bullying. They also blame the police who never
prosecuted the four boys who allegedly raped their daughter when she was
just 15. Parsons' story has drawn comparisons to the recent rape in
Steubenville, Ohio, which created an international outcry because of
graphic images that circulated online. After
four boys allegedly raped Parsons at a house party in November 2011,
one of the boys distributed a photo of the assault to "everyone in her
school ... where it quickly became viral ... Boys who saw the picture
asked her for sex, and other students called her a slut," her mother
explained. Authorities confirmed a photo of Parsons "allegedly having
sex" with one of the boys was emailed and texted among "friends.

Parsons
fell into a depression, her mother says. She changed schools and was
hospitalized at one point for six weeks, The Toronto Star reported. On
the night of April 4, she became so distraught that she locked herself
in the bathroom and had hanged herself by the time her mother burst in.
(Parsons was put on life support and died several days later.) She was
reportedly never the same after her assault. "Rehtaeh is gone today
because of the four boys that thought that raping a 15-year-old girl was
OK and to distribute a photo to ruin her spirit and reputation would be
fun," her mother wrote on the Facebok page she created. The
Nova Scotia Justice Department is reviewing how police handled the
case, so it's possible the four boys accused of breaking Parsons down
could be prosecuted. It's impossible to know whether a prosecution would
have healed Parsons' broken spirit, though.

A
Canadian teen hanged herself after everybody at school saw pictures of
her rape. "Four boys thought that raping a 15-year-old girl was OK and
to distribute a photo to ruin her spirit and reputation would be fun,"
her mother wrote. In just the last ten days there were two reports of
teen girls - Rehtaeh Parsons and Audrie Pott - who both committed
suicide after being raped and when pictures of the sexual assaults were
distributed electronically among their peers they became the center of
evil and relentless cyberbullying. Teens are very vulnerable emotionally
and heartless humiliation from peers is the worst kind of abuse that someone of that age can suffer.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Persons
who are attached to sinful activities generally become envious and
violent toward other living entities. Committing violence is a heinous
sin. It is everyone’s duty to give up violence. Violence toward human
beings is the gravest sin. ... There are three kinds of violence:
violence toward human beings, violence toward animals, and violence
toward demigods. Violence is born from hate. ... There are two types of
cruelty, cruelty toward humans and cruelty toward animals. Cruelty
toward men and women causes great disturbances in the world. When people
practice cruelty toward one another, compassion leaves the world and
irreligiousness in the form of cruelty become prominent. (Caitanya-siksamrta 2/5).